PARLIAMENTARY.

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume II, Issue 129, 15 June 1880, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY.

( From our Own Correspondent.) Wellington, June 14. So far the work of the session lias proceeded apace, and nothing of any great importance has occurred to mar the even tenor of the way. We have, it is true, had the usual number of disquisitions by the Thames member re conservating the rights and privileges of the whole human race, the sin and scandal of the Canterbury “ gridironing,” together with a reiteration of the hundred and one offences, real and imaginary, the patriotic Grey is wont to attribute to the Government—their friends and followers. Thus primed the imaginations of the smaller guns of the party get fired, hut beyond a slight concussion no real damage is occasioned. Grey this session is just as vehement in liis denunciations as ever, and if such a thing be possible, he is still more unreasonable. The exhibition he made tie evening of the budget speech was pitable in the extreme. His manner was coarse and exasperating—more like that of the scolding virago than the finished orator. From wliat I can learn his warmest friends and admirers are now more than ever convinced that it is hopeless to look to him for the rallying of their party. He is losing prestige fast, and unless a change comes over the spirit of his dream, from being the tower of strength he will become the weakness of a party. The mistake he is making is, to allow party principles to inVime his mind to such an extent as to warp his hotter judgment, the outcome being that he has lost sight of the distinction which exists between a political opponent and a personal adversary. In this state of matters it is not at all astonishing that the Opposition should he once more casting about for a leader. Macandrew lias been weighed in the balances and found wanting. Montgomery and Delatour have been each spoken of, hut nothing has come out of the suggestion. Like Macandrew. Montgomery is a man slow of speech, if not'hard of understanding. Then again Delatour could hardly he expected to keep a party well in hand. He has got some really good personal accomplishments, hut lie has got no pedigree, and until he succeeds in picking one up he must be contented to occupy a front seat in the ranks, without standing prominently out as leader of the party. In that dilemma it is said all eyes are turned towards the late Colonial Treasurer—or rather the former Treasurer, Mr Ballance. Ballance has got some very good party points. He knows when to hold his tongue, and when he does speak the subject is carefully studied, and his arguments well weighed. He has sucka good deal of inspiration from the pages of the Political Economist, and if anything he is somewhat ostentatious in the parade of his researches. It runs in my mind there is a quotation to the effect that “ speech is silver, and silence is gold.” Presuming, for argument’s sake, that I am not far out in my reckoning, then I should say, Ballance has eastimated both currencies at their net value as quoted hy the author. An Opposition caucus is on the tapis, at which it is understood some definite line of action will be concerted. Already the outline of a Bill of Indictment against the Government is said to have been framed, the major count being a bungle on the West Coast in connection with Parihaka affairs. It is alleged that the Armed Constabulary were kept there for a period of 90 days through some misinanaL'oment, at a cost of £OOO per day, doing nothing, and that during a further period, they were at work upon wliat has since turned out to he utterly useless labor, the consequence being that the Force has had to go into winter quarters, at a still further serious cost to the country. _ Of course there is a whole host of minor counts, want of vivacity on the part of the Government being amongst the number. As a logical sequence this leads me to refer to an incident which is just now exercising the public mind to some slight extent. At a late hour of Friday evening’s sitting Seymour George got up and put a question to the Government without notice. It was to the following effect :—ls there any truth in the rumor that Sir Julius Vogel has resigned the office of Agent-General? Hall’s reply as reported was : There is a hundred and one rumors in circulation, hut there is no foundation whatever for the one in question. This answer startled one or two who happened to he better informed on the point and accordingly a good deal of speculation was excited. The Hansard report was consulted and there it is found altered to the following :—“ There are a thousand and one reports in circulation for which there is no foundation whatever.” You will see at a glance the distinction between the two. Now for the reason. It has been ascertained (I am not at liberty to say how), that the Government some time ago made overtures to Sir Julius to resign tiic appointment. After some negotiation it was agreed, hy way of compensating him for resigning, that he should get one-twelfth of one per cent, on all loans negotiated hy the Colony. To this arrangement Vogel agreed. Meantime a question arose as to whether or not the late L 5,000,000 loan was included in the arrangement. Vogel contended that it did and refused to carry out his part of the arrangement about resigning. Government on the other hand contended that it did not, and there the transaction remains for the present. In the meantime Government did not intend that anything should be known about the transaction, hut it has got out, and hence the difficulty. t As you may imagine, the Opposition, or rather its fragments, are jubilant, and otherwise look upon it as a feather in their cap. With time. and patience we shall see what comes of it all.

[BY TELEGRAPH.]

Tuesday Morning. No move has yet been made to organise an Opposition. The Financial proposals come on for discussion to-night. It is resolved that Mr Seymour, as Chairman of Committees, gets £IOO increase of salary.